Device for guiding and limiting the travel of a sliding door element

ABSTRACT

A device ( 10; 10   a ) for guiding and limiting the travel of a sliding door element ( 1 ) has a receiving and stop element ( 12; 12   a   ; 12   b   ; 12   c ) which cooperates by positive engagement with a centering element ( 11; 11   a ). It is proposed that the centering element ( 11; 11   a ) be embodied with a wedge-shaped portion ( 18; 29 ) and that the receiving and stop element ( 12; 12   a   ; 12   b   ; 12   c ) be embodied with a V-shaped portion ( 19; 40 ). The device ( 10; 10   a ) is especially simply embodied and requires only little effort for assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for guiding and limiting the travel ofa sliding door element. One such device is already known that has aguide, fastened in the bottom region of a post of a guard fence, with astop serving the purpose of travel limitation. The guide, embodied of anL-shaped steel profile, cooperates with a roller body, fastened to acantilever, which body is secured to the sliding door element and can beintroduced between the post and one leg of the steel profile Adisadvantage here is that the known device comprises many parts, so thatbesides the relatively high production costs, major effort of assemblyis also required. Furthermore, because of the half-round shape, towardthe guide, of the roller body, although introducing the sliding doorelement between the post and the leg of the steel profile is possible,even if the sliding door element is not in an exactly aligned positionbecause of variations in the sliding door guide, nevertheless themechanical stress on the plastic roller body and its bearing is quitehigh.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device according to the invention for guiding and limiting thetravel of a sliding door element, has the advantage over the prior artthat an especially secure, gentle introduction of the centering elementinto the receiving and stop element is made possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the centering element andthe receiving and stop element are embodied in such a way that lockingof the sliding door element is possible without additional parts.

In a further preferred embodiment, damping elements are provided, bywhich quiet introduction of the centering element into the receiving andstop element can be attained with simultaneous shock-absorbing action.

It is expedient, for these damping elements, to provide a throughopening in a wall of a recess, in which through opening an extension canbe disposed for securing the damping element in the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and willbe described in further detail below. Shown are:

FIG. 1, a perspective view of first device for guiding and limiting thetravel of a sliding door element;

FIG. 2, a perspective view of a second device for guiding and limitingthe travel of a sliding door element;

FIG. 3, a plan view on the connecting elements of the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4, a perspective view of a receiving and stop element;

FIG. 5, a perspective view of a modified receiving and stop element;

FIG. 6, a view taken along the section lines VI—VI in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7, a section analogous to that of FIG. 6, through a furthermodified receiving and stop element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device 10 shown in FIG. 1 serves to guide and limit the travel of asliding door element 1. Such sliding door elements 1 are used as acomponent of guard fences, for example to prevent access tosecurity-related areas inside business premises. The sliding doorelement 1 is assembled from profile bars 2, 3 and a guide rail 4, whichform a rectangular frame 5. A protective grid is disposed inside grooveopenings 6 of the profile bars 2, 3. The sliding door element 1 isdisplaceable in the direction X by known guide means, in particularrollers guided in guide rails, so that in the open state it allowsaccess to the area bounded by the guard fence. In the closed state ofthe sliding door element 1, effected by a closing device, the profilebar 2 is located in the immediate vicinity of a post 7, which is acomponent of a stationary guard fence 8, not shown in further detail.

The device 10 includes a centering element 11, disposed on the slidingdoor element 1, and a receiving and stop element 12, disposed on thepost 7 and aligned with the centering element 11. The centering element11 and the receiving and stop element 12 are fastened, verticallyadjustably, in longitudinal grooves 9 of the profile bar 3 and of thepost 7 by means of screws 13 and sliding blocks 14; for receiving thescrews 13, bores 16 are made in the centering element 11 and thereceiving and stop element 12. As a rule, the centering element 11 andthe receiving and stop element 12 are disposed in the lower or groundregion of the sliding door element 1 and post 7. However, it is alsopossible for a plurality of devices 10 to be distributed over the heightof the sliding door element 1 and the post 7.

The block-like centering element 11, which extends over virtually thefull width of the profile bar 3, has two portions 17, 18. While oneportion 17 is rectangular in cross section, the other portion 18 has awedge-shaped form. This wedge-shaped portion 18 cooperates with aportion 19, cut out in a the shape of a V, of the also block-likereceiving and stop element 12. The portion 19 is adjoined by arectangular portion 21, so that the two portions 19, 21 together have alength L, which is virtually equal to the width B of the post 7 (whichis square in cross section). The width B of the receiving and stopelement 12 can also advantageously he approximately equal to the width Aof the centering element 11. What is essential is that the wedge angle αof the portion 18 be equivalent to the opening angle β of the portion19, so that the cooperating faces 22, 23 and 24, 25 of the portions 18,19 rest in plane fashion on one another, when the centering element 11and receiving and stop element 12 are aligned with one another. The sizeof the gap between the profile bar 3 or the sliding door element 1 andthe post 7, offset from it, of the guard fence 8 is thus determined bythe length c of the portion 17.

Upon closure of the sliding door element 1, it is as a rule possible,because of the variations in the sliding door guide and its design, tomove the sliding door element 1 transversely to the direction of motionX, so that the introduction of the centering element 11 with itswedge-shaped portion 18 into the receiving and stop element 12 takesplace offset from the V-shaped portion 19 thereof. Consequently, the tip26 of the wedge slides along one of the faces 24, 25 of the portion 19,and the centering element 11 is centered toward the receiving and stopelement 12. What is essential for the lateral offset between the tip 26of the wedge and the V-shaped portion 19 is that the offset be nogreater than half the width a, so that the tip 26 of the wedge willstill meet one of the faces 24, 25 of the portion 19.

To enable quiet introduction of the centering element 11 into thereceiving and stop element 12 with simultaneous shock-absorbing action,the centering element 11 and/or the receiving and stop element 12 is ofplastic, or is provided on at least one pair of faces, 22, 23 or 24, 25with a damping layer 27, such as rubber or PUR. This damping layer 27can be press-fitted with positive engagement or vulcanized on, andfurthermore it can be shaped geometrically such that in the finalposition of introduction, fixation occurs by easy snapping into placebetween the elements 11 and 12.

In the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the centering element 11 a and the receiving and stop element 12a of the device 10 a are modified compared with the first exemplaryembodiment. The centering element 11 a has a block-like base region 28,which is adjoined by the substantially wedge-shaped guide portion 29.Above and below the guide portion 29, there is one receptacle each for afastening screw 30 in the base region 28. Each fastening screw 30cooperates with a sliding block, disposed in the longitudinal groove 9of the profile bar 2, and with the aid of the sliding block, thecentering element 11 a can be fastened to the profile bar 2. Alongitudinal slit 31, which opens into a longitudinal bore 32, isembodied in the longitudinal axis of the guide portion 29. Thelongitudinal slit 31 divides the guide portion 29 into two beak-shapedguide halves 33, 34. Each guide half 33, 34 has an oblique guide face35, a center face 36 disposed parallel to the direction of motion X, anda retaining region 37 that widens again after the center face. The twoguide faces 35 form an angle α*, and the two retaining regions 35 eachhave a radius r on the side remote from the base region 28.

The receiving and stop element 12 a also has a base region 38 withrecesses for fastening screws 30. The receiving region 40, offset fromthe base region 38, has a height H, which is equivalent to the height hof the guide portion 29. On the side toward the centering element 11 a,the receiving region 40 has a substantially V-shaped receptacle with tworeceiving bevels 41, converging toward one another, which form an angleβ*. An essential feature is that the angle β* is greater than the angleα* at the guide portion 29. Two insertion bevels 42, which form an anglethat corresponds to the wedge angle α* at the guide portion 29, adjointhe two receiving bevels 41 in the receiving region 40. The insertionbevel 42 is adjoined by a portion 43 disposed parallel to the directionof motion X. The spacing between the two portions 43, which representsthe narrowest point of the receiving region 40, is somewhat greater thanthe outer spacing between the two center faces 36 on the guide portion29. The two portions 43 merge with a common receiving opening 45, inwhich the two retaining regions 37 of the guide portion 29 can bedisposed with little play (FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 also shows that the receiving and stop element 12 a and thecentering element 11 a have centering extensions 46, which can bedisposed in the grooves 9. As a result, an exact alignment on theprofile bars 6, 7 is possible. Furthermore, a protection againsttwisting is assured after assembly.

When the centering element 11 a is introduced into the receiving andstop element 12 a, the two retaining regions 37 of the centering element11 a slide along the receiving bevels 41 into the region of theinsertion bevels 42. Depending on the speed with which the retainingregions 37 strike the receiving bevels 41, a deformation of the guidehalves 33, 34 occurs as a consequence of the longitudinal slit 31, whichis equivalent to a damping of the impact motion of the sliding doorelement 1. For further introduction of the centering element 11 a intothe receiving and stop element 12 a, the two guide halves 33, 34 must beelastically deformed, in such a way that the two retaining regions 37can move past the region of the portions 43, so that they can enter thereceiving opening 45 that follows. The resistance to be overcome to thatend is dependent in particular on the spacing of the two portions 43 andon the dimensioning and material of the guide portion 29. If the tworetaining regions 37 are located inside the receiving opening 45 of thereceiving and stop element 12 a, then the sliding door element 1 issecured or locked with respect to the direction of motion X in such away that to re-open the sliding door element 1, a resistance must firstbe overcome in order to move the retaining regions 37 back out of thereceiving opening 45 again. Therefore, whenever all that has to beguarded against is access by mistake to some portion of businesspremises, it is conceivable to dispense with additional closing deviceson the sliding door element 1.

In FIG. 4, compared to the first exemplary embodiment, a modifiedreceiving and stop element 12 b with damping elements 48 is shown in anexploded view. The damping elements 48 are an alternative but analogouspossibility, compared with the damping layer 27 already described, formaking it possible to achieve quiet introduction of the centeringelement 11 of the first exemplary embodiment into the receiving and stopelement 12 b with simultaneous shock-absorbing action.

In the receiving and stop element 12 b, beginning at the faces 24, 25,two recesses 50 are formed, which in the present exemplary embodimenthave a rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, it is also possiblefor the recesses 50 to have some other cross-sectional shape, such asround or oval. The recesses 50 serve to receive the damping elements 48,whose shape is adapted for this purpose to the shape of the recesses 50.The damping elements 48 have a V-shaped first portion 52, which isadjoined by a second, rectangular portion 54. The opening angle ε of theV-shaped portion 52 corresponds essentially to the opening angle β ofthe V-shaped portion 19 of the receiving and stop element 12 b. Thedamping elements 48 disposed in the recesses 50 protrude somewhat pastthe faces 24, 25, and as a result the damping ensues upon introductionof the centering element 11 into the receiving and stop element 12 b.The damping elements 48 are preferably made of a soft material. This canbe polyurethane, rubber, or some other suitable plastic.

For assembly, the damping elements 48 are inserted, with the secondportions 54 leading, into the recesses 50, in which they preferably havea slight press fit. However, the damping elements 48 can also befastened by means of adhesive. Nevertheless, a suitable press fit makesan easy replacement of worn damping elements 48 possible.

Instead of the two damping elements 48 shown, some other number can alsobe provided. With respect to the damping elements 48, it is possible forthe receiving and stop element 12 b and/or the centering element 12 b tohave at least one damping element 48. The damping element 48 is disposedhere in a recess 50, which is embodied in the receiving and stop element12 b and/or in the centering element 11.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a modified receiving and stop element 12 c comparedwith the previous exemplary embodiment is shown in an exploded view. Ina side wall 56 of the recess 50, a through opening 58 is made. However,it can also be merely an indentation. A through opening 58,nevertheless, is easier to produce from a production standpoint. In thedirection of motion X, the through opening 58 has a length a.

The two damping elements 48 c, of which there should be at least one,have at least one extension 60 embodied on them for securing the dampingelement 48 c in the recess 50, and this extension can be disposed in thethrough opening 58. It is also possible for two extensions 60 facing oneanother in mirror symmetry to be provided on the damping element 48 c.Preferably, the extension 60 is embodied on one long side of a branch 61of the portion 52 and ideally has an insertion bevel 62 for the sake ofeasier assembly. In the direction of motion X, the extension 60 has alength b. The length a of the through opening 58 is preferably greaterthan the length b of the extension 60, so that the damping element 48 cis axially displaceable in the recess.

A spring element 66 is disposed between the bottom 62 of the recess 50and the damping element 48 c, or more precisely the face end 64 of thedamping element 48 c. This produces an additional resilient property.However, the spring element 66 can also be dispensed with.

For assembly of the receiving and stop element 12 c, the spring elements66 are first placed in the recesses 50. Then the damping elements 48 c,with the second portions 54 leading, are thrust into the recesses 50, inwhich the damping elements 48 c preferably have a clearance fit. Whenthe insertion bevels 62 of the extensions 60 come to rest on the wall 56and the damping elements 48 c are thrust further into the recesses 60,the branch 61 of the V-shaped portions 52 is pressed toward the middleof the damping elements 48 c. As a result, the damping elements 48 c caneasily be thrust all the way into the recesses 50. As soon as theextensions 62 enter the region of the through openings 58, the branches61 of the V-shaped portions 52 snap in the direction of the throughopenings 58. The extensions 60 are disposed in the through openings 58,and as a result the damping elements 48 c in the recesses 50 are securedagainst falling out. Because the length a of the through openings 58 isgreater than the length b of the extensions 60, the damping elements 48c can be displaced somewhat in the direction of motion X, which producesbetter damping and spring properties. It should also be noted that thespring elements 66 act upon the damping elements 48 c in the unloadedstate in such a way that the damping elements 48 c protrude somewhatpast the faces 24, 25.

For disassembly of a worn damping element 48 c, pressure must merely beexerted from outside against the extension 60. The damping element 48 ccan immediately be removed easily from the recess 50.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a damping element 48 d.Through a slit 68, which extends through the damping element 48 d, thedamping element can also be pressed together in such a way that it caneasily be introduced into the recess 50. As a result, the extension 60can also be provided even on a portion 52 that is not V-shaped.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for guiding and limiting a travel of asliding door element, comprising a center element; a receiving and stopelement which cooperates with positive engagement with said centeringelement, said receiving and stop element for guiding said centeringelement having a receiving region for said centering element, saidregion widening in a direction toward said centering element; a profilebar to which said receiving and stop element and said centering elementare connectable; and fastening parts which connect said receiving andstop element and said centering element to said profile bar, whereinsaid profile bar has grooves, said fastening parts being disposed insaid grooves of said profile bar, and wherein said receiving and stopelement and said centering element are vertically adjustable.
 2. Adevice as defined in claim 1, wherein said centering element has awedge-shaped portion, said receiving region being at least partiallyformed with a shape of a V and cooperating with said wedge-shapedportion of said centering element.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1,wherein said receiving and stop element and said centering element areformed of one piece with one another.
 4. A device as defined in claim 1wherein said receiving and stop element and said centering element havecentering extensions which are disposable in said grooves.
 5. A deviceas defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving and stop element and saidcentering element have means for locking the sliding door element in aclosed position.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein saidcentering element has at least one extension, said means having aretaining opening adjoining a bottom of said receiving opening intowhich said at least one extension of said centering element isintroducable, said at least one extension being retained in saidretaining opening by positive engagement.
 7. A device as defined inclaim 6, wherein said bottom of said receiving element has aconstriction which is adjoined by said retaining opening, said at leastone extension having a thickened region adapted at least in part bypositive engagement to said receiving opening, and an element selectedfrom the group consisting of said constriction and said at least oneextension being deformable for introducing of said at least oneextension into said retaining opening.
 8. A device as defined in claim7, wherein said centering element has a wedge-shaped portion with alongitudinal slit oriented in a longitudinal direction of said receivingopening, that divides said wedge-shaped portion into two extensions,said extensions being elastically deformable transversely to saidlongitudinal slit.
 9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein saidreceiving and stop element and said centering element are composed atleast partially of plastic.
 10. A device as defined in claim 1, whereinat least one of said receiving and stop element and said centeringelement has a damping layer.
 11. A device for guiding and limiting atravel of a sliding door element, comprising a center element; areceiving and stop element which cooperates with positive engagementwith said centering element, said receiving and stop element for guidingsaid centering element having a receiving region for said centeringelement, said region widening in a direction toward said centeringelement; a profile bar to which said receiving and stop element and saidcentering element are connectable; and fastening parts which connectsaid receiving and stop element and said centering element to saidprofile bar, wherein said centering element has a wedge-shaped portionwith a longitudinal slit oriented in a longitudinal direction of saidreceiving region and dividing said wedge-shaped portion into twoextensions, said extensions being elastically deformable transversely tosaid longitudinal slit.
 12. A device for guiding and limiting a travelof a sliding door element, comprising a center element; a receiving andstop element which cooperates with positive engagement with saidcentering element, said receiving and stop element for guiding saidcentering element having a receiving region for said centering element,said region widening in a direction toward said centering element; aprofile bar to which said receiving and stop element and said centeringelement are connectable; and fastening parts which connect saidreceiving and stop element and said centering element to said profilebar, wherein at least one of said receiving and stop elements and saidcentering element has a recess, at least one of said receiving and stopelements and said centering element also having at least one dampingelement disposed in said recess.
 13. A device as defined in claim 12,wherein said recess has one wall provided with a through opening, saidat least one damping element having at least one extension for securingsaid damping element in said recess, said extension being disposed insaid through opening.
 14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein saidextension has an insert bevel.
 15. A device as defined in claim 13,wherein said damping element has a clearance fit in said recess.
 16. Adevice as defined in claim 13, wherein said through opening has a lengthwhich is greater than a length of said extension, so that said dampingelement is axially displaceable in said recess.
 17. A device as definedin claim 13; and further comprising a spring element disposed in abottom of said recess of said damping element.